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Washington Redskins cornerback Darrell Green may not return until the Nov. 20 game against the St. Louis Rams because of a strained calf he suffered in a 10-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Redskins officials fear the 18-year veteran will need several weeks to mend, and Green's streak of 125 consecutive games played will end against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday.

Coach Norv Turner yesterday said the corner "realistically" could miss two or three games, which could push Green's absence into the team's Nov. 12 bye.

Green has played in every Redskins game since 1992, when he missed eight because of a broken arm. Green underwent treatment at Redskin Park yesterday for the first leg injury of his career.

"When a guy goes down like that your immediate concern is they've torn something," Turner said. "Darrell felt pretty good [yesterday]. I think he would be out of this game, and then it will be a week-to-week."

Cornerback Tyronne Drakeford is expected to replace Green in the nickel coverages against the Jaguars. Drakeford was inactive the last two games and for three overall this season. He has played some special teams and nickel schemes.

Drakeford, nicknamed "Baby Prime" after playing with cornerback Deion Sanders in San Francisco, started 41 games in six seasons with San Francisco (1994-97) and New Orleans (1998-99). Cornerback David Terrell, who subbed for Green against the Ravens, also may play.

Meanwhile, guard Keith Sims is listed as probable for Sunday's game despite earlier fears that a chronically sore Achilles' tendon would force him to sit out. Sims resumed wearing the walking boot he wore last week and won't practice tomorrow or Thursday for the sixth straight week.

Sims seemed greatly improved over last Monday after playing on artificial turf at Philadelphia. Sims was optimistic on Sunday that he would play against the Jaguars because the natural grass at FedEx Field combined with a cortisone shot reduced stress on his left heel.

"Playing on AstroTurf in Philadelphia had a real negative affect on him. He was at his worst last week," Turner said. "He felt much better [yesterday] than a week ago. We have to have a plan for someone to play in there. My hope is he could get to the bye with this. I don't know if we'll get there."

Sims went back on a vow and took a pain-killer shot because coaches felt backups Mookie Moore and newly signed Tony Hutson weren't ready to play. Sims limped through the game.

"The thing that will help Keith is long-term rest," Turner said. "Well, he's not going to get that. A week off will help him some, but not to the same extent he won't be in the same [situation]. If we could get to the bye and have him do nothing for 10 days that will help him the most."

Sims helped spring running back Stephen Davis on two pivotal runs against the Ravens, including a 33-yard touchdown. Turner gave game balls to the entire offensive line.

"Considering the circumstances we're under with Keith's injury and Mark [Fischer] and Jay [Leeuwenburg] playing for the guys that have been injured, they hung in there and played extremely well," Turner said. "We're not as good on the offensive line interior as we were a year ago. We're getting better each week."

Sanders' sore back has improved, but the Redskins won't decide whether he'll return punts until Friday. Receiver James Thrash returned punts against the Ravens and will at least split time with Sanders against the Jaguars.

"We needed to back off [Sanders] a little bit," Turner said. "James can go pretty well, and he's young. We're going to be careful with him in terms of all the special teams work he's doing, but we need him to take as many snaps as he can."

Receiver Irving Fryar's status may be decided tomorrow. He's doubtful for the Jacksonville game because of bruised nerves in his neck that forced him to miss one game already. Fryar resumed workouts and could be ready for the Oct. 30 game against the Tennessee Titans. Davis is probable with a pinched nerve in his shoulder.